Trails boost quality of life

Congratulations to Marty Hoeger for opening a restaurant that will cater to users of the Cedar River Trail.

The Sac and Fox was declared Iowa's first National Recreation Trail in 1975. Created from the vision of leaders in the Cedar Rapids Parks Department with help from the Indian Creek Nature Center, it proved the popularity of trails to citizens and launched a comprehensive effort to expand trails throughout the metro area and beyond into rural areas.

These trails were met by strident opposition from people who voiced fears that trail users would dump trash, harass livestock, vandalize private property, and commit an assortment of other crimes.

Now, decades later, all the fears have been disproved. Trails are immensely popular and an enormous boost to our quality of life. And, they arestimulating business.

Hats off to the visionaries in government and the many private volunteers, especially the Linn County Trails Association, who continue to work to expand and improve our trail network.

Rich Patterson, Director,

Indian Creek Nature Center

Cedar Rapids